16th March 2017 strike is inevitable

16th March 2017 strike is inevitable

We are forced to go on a day's strike on 16thMarch 2017 due to the inaction of the Government.  Seven months have lapsed still the committee has not submitted any report.

A group of ministers comprising Home Minister Shri.Raj Nath Singh,  Finance Minister Shri. Arun Jaitley  & Railway Minister Shri. Suresh Prabhu called NJCA leaders on 30/06/2016 and assured that a high power committee will be constituted to look into the matter regarding revision of wages and fitment formula. Based on the assurance, the JCM Constituent deferred the Strike action to 06th July 2016.Though our Federation appealed PJCA to continue the strike as decided on July 11 2016, it was not considered in the larger interest of Central Government employees unity.

As assured a Committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Addl. Secretary (Exp), Ministry of Finance and discussions held, the response was very much disappointing. Against this we conducted a protest week from 12th December to 19th December 2016 and submitted a memorandum to our Honourable Prime Minister through state Governors as well as in his office, there is no response till date.

On 19/01/2017 A meeting was held with the Cabinet Secretary, Government of India, wherein Staff side secretary and the president were present.

The staff side explained Cabinet secretary about various Issues of the Central Government Employees pending at the Government level.  The main issues were NPS, Minimum Wage and Fitment Formula, Allowances, Pension and enhancing  Benchmark from good to Very Good.  The Cabinet Secretary informed staff side that, Pension issues have already been referred to the Cabinet, and the report of the Committee on Allowances is likely to be submitted in the next month.  It is not certain whether there will be any revision in minimum wage and Fitment formula & arrears of allowances from 01/01/2016.

Meanwhile, on 10.02.2017 NPS committee  has called the JCM Staff Side for a second round of discussion, during  the discussion they want to discuss only notified agenda, such as (1) scrapping of NPS (2) Guaranteed Minimum pension to NPS Pensioners  ie; 50% of the last pay drawn should be guaranteed by the Government as minimum pension, even if the returns from annuity insurance scheme amount is less than 50%.

Unfortunately, the main demand of Exemption of Central Govt. Employees from the purview of NPS, was not included in the agenda.

With regard to GDS,  our Federation and NUGDS warmly welcome the welfare measures which were recommended by Sri.Kamalesh Chandra committee. At the same time, our Federation strongly oppose the non‘Removal of 3 -A (I) of GDS Conduct & Engagement Rules, 2011.

Regarding Casual Labours, the revised wages and its arrears have not been paid in many Circles. 

In view of the above, we cannot remain silent just conducting a protest week and Dharna. As we have to show a strong protest against the attitude of the Government, the FNPO affiliates decided to go on a day`s strike on March 16th, 2017. 

We appeal all our colleagues to organise the one-day strike on 16.3.2017 and make it a thundering success.

D.Theagarajan

Secretary General

FNPO